Emma Franz

Aged eighty-nine years, eleven months and fifteen days, Emma Goehle Franz joined Our Savior and the Host of Heaven on the 20th of September.

The funeral service will be held at 9:30 am on Friday, September 26, 2008 at First Lutheran Church in St. Peter with Rev. Alan Bray officiating. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Visitation will be held from 4:30-8:00 pm on Thursday at St. Peter Funeral Home and will continue at 9:00 am prior to the service at church. St. Peter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Emma was born to Pastor Theodore and Dorothea Siebrandt Goehle on the Fifth of October, 1918, in Edgerton, MN. When Emma was only 6 weeks old, her father was called to the pastorate of Trinity Lutheran Church in Steen, MN. Emma and the growing family of brothers and sisters lived in the parsonage until 1933 when they moved to the Ash Creek farm. Emma completed her first three years of high school in Hills, MN, and her final year in Luverne, MN. She graduated in 1935 at the age of 16 years and was first in her class. College was not to be for her, however. After graduation she worked on the Ash Creek Farm and as a waitress in her brother Herman's caf" in Steen. The call of the big city brought her to Minneapolis in 1945 as she began work as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell. Her employers were captivated by her joyous manner and uncommon good looks making her Cover Girl of the December 1946 Northwestern Bell Magazine. Returning to Luverne she met a young Army Captain returned from Germany and starting a teaching career at Luverne High School. They met at a basket ball game and the Captain won big. Emma married Harry Franz at St. John's Lutheran Church on the 16th of July, 1950. In over 54 years of marriage, Harry and Emma were blessed with three children and seven grandchildren. Harry retired from a long and active teaching and coaching career to St. Peter, MN. This however was not so much a retirement for Emma as a new beginning. She was a vital member at First Lutheran where her many activities included the mission circle and the quilting circle where she crafted glorious comfort for babies and invalids both in her immediate community and for Lutheran World Relief. She devoted countless hours as a volunteer at the Minnesota State Hospital, working with those of society who are most shunned. Emma was a passionate and skilled teacher of the Bethel Series, a two year adult bible study empowering teachers of the Word. Emma and Harry enjoyed many winters in Sebring, Florida, and continued to make friends wherever they lived. After Harry's passing in 2004, Emma actively continued her volunteer activities and enjoyed time with her grandchildren.

Emma moved into assisted living at Sunrise of Edina in 2006 where she resided until her death. Her care was skilled and compassionate. She was greatly loved by both residents and staff.

Emma always had a smile and greeted everyone with infectious joy. As God is Love, so Emma loved, without precondition, without reservation. She and Harry are survived by their three children: Debra Lakin of Lakeville (Dr. James Lakin), James Franz of Minnetrista (Janet Schultz), and Bradley Franz of Alva, Oklahoma (Lisa Franz).

Emma is also survived by seven grandchildren: Christian Loger (Andrea Loger), Anne Loger, Madeline Franz, Allyson Franz, Jordan Franz, Cecely Franz and Aleysa Franz. A great grandson is joyously expected in October. Emma is also survived by two sisters, Dorothea Hamann of Luverne and Louise Beckman (Lloyd) of Brookings, South Dakota. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Emma was preceded in death by her husband Harry in September, 2004, her parents and her sisters Ruth, Magdalena, Leona and Esther and her brothers Albert, Theodore, Henry, Herman and Hugo.

Memorials preferred to First Lutheran Church or the American Red Cross.